Comparative analysis of indocyanine green and technetium-99m for sentinel lymph node localization in breast cancer – institutional experience - Report - MDSpire

Comparative analysis of indocyanine green and technetium-99m for sentinel lymph node localization in breast cancer – institutional experience

  • By

  • Csaba Kósa

  • Hajnalka Kulcsár

  • Klaudia Balog

  • Tamás Dinya

  • Lóránt Illésy

  • Gergő Kincses

  • Tamás Kuna

  • Péter Juhász

  • Dezső Tóth

  • May 7, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Evaluation of Indocyanine Green versus Technetium-99m for Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Breast Cancer

Overview

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Background

Accurate axillary staging is crucial in breast cancer management, with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) being the standard approach for clinically node-negative patients. Traditional methods using Tc-99m and blue dye, while effective, pose risks related to radiation exposure and logistical challenges. The introduction of ICG fluorescence imaging offers a promising, radiation-free alternative that warrants evaluation.

Data Highlights

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Key Findings

  • ICG fluorescence achieved a sentinel node detection rate of 90.6%.
  • Tc-99m had a higher detection rate of 97.1%.
  • No ICG-related complications or adverse events were reported.
  • Among patients with positive SLNs, metastatic node detection was 94.1% using ICG.
  • The study supports the integration of ICG into standard breast cancer surgery protocols.

Clinical Implications

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Conclusion

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Related Resources & Content

  1. Utilizing Hybrid SPECT/CT for Enhanced Lymphatic Mapping in Breast Cancer Patients, Springer, 2008 -- Article
  2. Minimally Invasive Single-Port Endoscopic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Utilizing Indocyanine Green and Carbon Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Management, Surgical Endoscopy, 2023 -- Article
  3. Comparative Analysis of Innovative Techniques and Conventional Mapping in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Updates in Surgery, 2023 -- Article
  4. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update, ASCO, 2025 -- Guideline
  5. Resource Guide on Technical Considerations for Axillary Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients, ASBrS, 2026 -- Resource
  6. BJS (British Journal of Surgery) — Evaluation of Ultra-Low Dose Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Injection for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification in Breast Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Analysis
  7. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update
  8. Resource Guide on Technical Considerations for Axillary Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients
  9. https://academic.oup.com/bjsopen/article/9/5/zraf104/8287130
  10. Indocyanine green fluorescence versus blue dye, technetium-99M, and the dual-marker combination of technetium-99M + blue dye for sentinel lymph node detection in early breast cancer–meta-analysis including consistency analysis - ScienceDirect
  11. Comparative Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Node Detection Rates in Breast Cancer Surgery: “ICG + Patent Blue” Versus “99mTc + Patent Blue”, a 11-Year Single-Center Study - PMC
  12. ICG-Fluorescence Imaging for Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Patients with Stage I or IIA Breast Cancer - NCI

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